1. Your child will have a sore throat and may also complain of ear and neck pain.  Acetaminophen (i.e. Tylenol, Panadol) can be given as directed for pain.  For severe pain not controlled by acetaminophen, use the pain medication prescribed by your doctor.  DO NOT GIVE YOUR CHILD ASPIRIN, MOTRIN OR ADVIL. (IBUPROFEN)
   
   
2. In addition to a severe sore throat, ear and neck pain are common after the operation.  The pain symptoms may increase during the first 5 days after the surgery.
   
   
3. Your child may consume a regular diet but liquids and soft foods are recommended during the first week after surgery.  Avoid hot liquids, salty foods and citrus juices because they can irritate the throat.
   
   
4. Your child may have fluid come out of his/her nose after drinking.  This usually stops after 2 or 3 weeks.
   
   
5. Your child will probably lose weight after the surgery.  This is common.  If you are concerned about your child's nutrition, multivitamins, Ensure or Sustacal supplements can be added to the diet.  These can be bought at your local supermarket.
   
   
6. Your child may return to school and resume play activity within a week to ten days after surgery.
   
   
7. Your child's voice may sound different for several weeks after surgery.
   
   
8. If you look in your child's throat, you may see white patches.  This is not a sign of infection but a scab.  The white patches go away in about three weeks.
   
   
9. Bad breath is common for the first few weeks after surgery.
   
   
10. Your child may have a small amount of bleeding from the nose or mouth when the scab from the operation begins to fall off.  If the bleeding is severe, lasts more than a minute or keeps recurring, call your doctor or go to the Emergency Room of the hospital where the surgery was done.
    

Hector N. Hernandez, M.D., P.A.
Medicare Assignment Accepted - New Patients Welcome
21297-A Olean Boulevard Port Charlotte, Florida 33952
Phone: 941-764-0660

© 2004 AAO-HNS/AAO-HNSF